error message on digital dash - what does it mean

[Big Load]

hi
i've got this message that comes up when i start the car and then it goes away with in 10 seconds of starting the car. does anyone know what the problem is?

[Big Load]

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/1045273-help-error-type-12-a.html

[Big Load]

i think i have answered my own question

[stepson]

If your answer to yourself included the words "low battery" or "bad battery" your answer would be good.

And BTW, '89 is the best S4 year by far!

[Mrmerlin]

John, 88 is!

[JK McDonald]

Hey Big - What solved your error code problem? As suggested on the web's 928 discussion - did it just turn out to be a battery issue ? I keep a running list of 928 solutions in my Did Not Know (DNK) spiral note book.

Your original write-up reminded me of a problem that some older cars develop as the anti-lock brake system bleeds off slightly when parked. Once the car is started, the high pressure pump runs long enough to restore the correct operating pressure to the anti-lock reservoir. This clears the error.

There are a couple of after market Porsche compatible code readers around that may be worth purchasing if you intend on keeping your 928.

Good Luck, Michael

[stepson]

Originally Posted by Mrmerlin

John, 88 is!

Stan,

If you are talking most beautiful car, yes, an '88 Elfenbein Perlglanz 928 is the most beautiful car I have ever seen.

What?

Oh you have one of those? Beautiful beautiful car. And anyone who has not seen your car is really missing out. Actually a more beautiful car in person than in pictures.

But back to the '89 cars, digital dash, no air bags, blinking lock thingies, higher gear ratio for quicker acceleration, 2nd generation cylinder heads with thicker bosses (I forget if those are 2R or 3R heads)
And besides, we all know that Porsche improved the 928 each and every year, so '89 HAS to be better than '88 overall.

[Big Load]

lol

i'm actually going to find out the problem today. battery tested good. however due to the cold weather all i have been doing is starting the car every day without actually driving it.

so i'm gonna put it on slow charge and see what that does plus check all my grounds .
i'll confirm back if i figure it out . i'm praying its nothing else more serious.

how can i test the voltage coming to all the grounds??? ie what sound i set the voltmeter to . also the ground strap to the battery can that be tested?

[Mrmerlin]

John besides the color i am biased... every year Porsche added more parts to the 928 ,
once I start working on the 89 and newer I will lose my job of replacing the odometer gear,
and Roger will miss the sale of the gear.
I do like the blinking light on the door locks but the system is more expensive to fix.
The stronger heads are nice especially if you go to boost ,.
otherwise not really an issue , but bigger is stronger

[Big Load]

battery is at 12.6 when engine is off and when started it goes to 14/13.8. so battery is not that weak. i'll charge it anyway.

i cleaned all the grounds as well. but still i get this message. not sure what to check now

[Mrmerlin]

what was the last thing that you fixed?

[JK McDonald]

Hey Big - Have you verified that your original error code is indicating a low voltage problem? Perhaps you can borrow a Code Reader .

Michael

[Big Load]

hi
sorry for late reply.
i unfortunately don't have anyone i can borrow a code reader from and the last thing that was done was the maf reconditioned removed and reinstalled by a good garage (parr)
i've had enough of this car.. every time i fix something something else goes wrong. its a never ending story. my kids laugh as me..

sorry just venting out

[JK McDonald]

Hey Big - After starting your 928 and during the first 10 seconds of the displayed error code - what does your Dash Volt Meter Read ? If the displayed error code extinguishes just as the Dash Volt Meter climbs up to Alternator (13 - 14 volts) Voltage - it may be related.

Some aging alternators during cold weather will take a moment to reach their charging voltage after a cold start. If the Dash alternator warning (red) light does not turn off immediately - you might rev the motor slightly to see if:

1 The Error Code Extinguishes
2 Dash Alternator (Red) Warning Light Is Now Off
3 The Dash Volt Meter Now Reads A Charging Alternator Voltage

Just a thought - Michael

[Big Load]

hi JK

if this wet weather will stop then ill get outside and try it again.

first the message comes on when i turn the key to second position. At the same time the battery voltage on dash drops to 10ish. then when it catches and fires up. the voltage jumps back up to 13 and the message goes away.

BRING ON SUMMER I HATE WORKING IN THE RAIN

[Danglerb]

Voltage drop means bad connection, if the grounds are all good its a wire or plus side connection.

[stepson]

Originally Posted by Big Load

battery is at 12.6 when engine is off and when started it goes to 14/13.8.

Doesn't this indicate that after the car is started, you are measuring the alternator output and not the battery?

My continued contention is that the battery has an issue.

[Big Load]

hi
sorry for late response. im no closer to finding out the problem other than i have taken the battery out of the car and stuck it on slow charge for 15 hours.
i then disconnected the charger and stuck my multimeter to it and it initially showed 12.94v. which now (3 hours later) it is showing 12.48v with nothing connected to it.

I'll check it again in 3 hours and see where it drops to. if it carries on dropping without having anything attached to it i take it then the battery is toast and most likely my problem solved....i need a new battery

[Big Load]

ok i still have not attached it to anything yet and over night it has dropped to 12.44v

[Big Load]

ok silly question ..should the amps be going up or down to zero????